Jesus loves everyone (period, end of sentence).
Jesus accepts and welcomes everyone who comes seeking connection (no exclusions apply).
Jesus freely absolves us from our brokenness, shortcomings and the dumb stuff we do (without guilt and shame).
Yet, most of the world doesn’t know this. Your neighbors do not know this. Your friends do not know this and some of your relatives do not know this.
Sure, they have heard of Jesus but he’s been portrayed as a judgmental, harsh and hateful. Most often this is reflected by a portion of Christianity that is judgmental, harsh and hateful.
We have been called to correct the record and show people the real Jesus… the One found in the Bible.
God’s heart seeks that which is lost (see Luke 15). Even 500 years before Jesus came to show us the most excellent way to live (see 1Corinithians 12:31b) God’s intentions were the same…
As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Ezekiel 33:11
God wants us to live an abundant life and that is found in Jesus and His love (John 10:10).
Many of the choices we make (and the world makes) leads to pain, suffering and even spiritual isolation. In other words, death… just not in the physical sense of the word.
When you are walking “through the valley of the shadow of death” you hope there is something better ahead. There is. Better living is ahead and it is found in Jesus.
This message isn’t just for insiders like us. (If you are reading this, you are an insider.)
This good news is for the world (John 3:16).
Q: So, what is God’s plan to share the mercy, grace and love of Jesus with the world?
A: Simply put: us.
If we go back to Ezekiel 33 again, God says something very poignant to Ezekiel the prophet…
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.” Ezekiel 33:7-9
We are our brother’s keeper. We have been entrusted to share the true message of God’s love found in Jesus Christ.
If we keep it to ourselves, what good is that message? I certainly do not want to be asked one day, “Why did you keep Jesus a secret from others?” Or “Why didn’t you speak up when you had a chance to share Jesus with a friend?”
Invite a F.R.A.N. to church. Invite a Friend, Relative, Acquaintance or Neighbor to church this weekend. You don’t need to convince them of anything. Leave that to me.
God bless,
Pastor Ben